Chungking, Sept, 24.
Britain is urged immediately to reopen the Burma Road and give China the fit most assistance in the matter of transportation of supplies in a leading article in this morning's issue of the official "Central Daily News."
The Chinese daily expresses the opinion that the Japanese invasion of French Indo-China. despite repeated warnings on the part of the United States, must be regarded as a deliberate affront to the United States.
"Japan apparently wants to strike first before the completion of the United States' two-navy construction programme," the paper star The Chinese paper appeals to Ger many not to be used by Japan for carrying out Japan's own selfish expansion policy. while at the same time not giving effective support to Germany.
If the powers do not t action now a rapid deterioration of the Pacific situation will follow, the paper concludes.—Reuter.
The State Department meanwhile issued a categorical denial of the statement made yesterday in Vichy by the French Foreign Minister, M. Paul Baudoi, who alleged that the United States had approved the Franco-Japanese pact signed in Hanoi on Sunday.
"This Government has not at any time in any way approved French concessions to Japan," the State Department announced.
Meawhile, some quarters believed the United States would adopt some form of retaliation which would not appear to be directly against Japan. Embargoes aimed not directly against Japan, reopening of the Burma Highway "for trade purposes," and similar measures were widely mentioned.
Observers recalled that the United States has taken some such action each time Japan has made an important move in China, "America has either acted each time to strengthen China or weaker Some unofficial quarters believed that rica's next logical step would be one connected with Australia and the Netherlands Eas Indies. In this connection, it was pointed out, the natural move would be to accept Britain's offer of the use of the powerful Singapore naval base.
Mr. Hull told the press yesterday that he had received no confirmation
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.